Perspectives IV: Otherworld

Meanwhile, in a far-off land on the oceans' torrent a ship fought against the waves. A huge crustacean-monster veered it's head from the soggy depths and struck the ship with it's heavy claw like a dog trying to pry the contents of a hermit crabs shell. Rain was yet another obstacle, as if to tease the ship's misfortune. However, it was not misfortune alone that was set out to create havoc for the passengers riding it...

A man bravely clung for his life on the mast of the ship, and looked out onwards to the menacing red monster in front of him, before drawing his attention elsewhere. His free arm was out, clinging onto a woman with pink hair. "Hang on Lenna!" he cried, trying his best to keep standing while holding on to her, to prevent her falling off of the ship. The rain continuously tried to snatch sight from him, forcing him to shield his eyes. "I'm hanging on!" Lenna cried back, trying to overpower the noise of the storm "I'm more worried about Faris and Krile!"

Lightning struck again. The man felt a great push as the wave toppled him over, causing him to lose footing. The ship was commanding an effortless job of scooping him from his feet with the force of the waves, contributed both by the storm and by the monster that was attacking them.

He then heard a cry from above him, from the deck. "This storm's a bloody omen! Bartz! I'm trusting you keep Lenna safe!"

Bartz knew that he was trying his best, but he also knew others were depending on him too.

"If I had it my way, I'd fry the bastard. But it seems if I were t'do that than Syldra would also be the conductor, as well as use soaked by the rain,"

The waves calmed for a moment or two, allowing Bartz and Lenna to stand up.

("This isn't right,") Bartz thought to himself. Indeed the water was still gushing from the force of the winds, but the red creature was nowhere to be seen.

The ship's steed, Syldra, became anxious. It had become tired and battered from the attack of the creature and could still feel it nearby, causing panic.

Krile came out from the stairs heading down below the ship and heard the cries of the dragon. "She say's it hasn't gone yet,"

"Just as I thought," Bartz replied, causing yet more worry.

As if things couldn't get worse, Bartz and Lenna felt the ship crack it two like a broken neck, and a huge rift of energy tore the ship asunder, surging the crustacean-monster from hiding and launching itself into the air. Lenna and Bartz looked on at each other from both sides of the ship halves. Words escaped them on what had just happened, and before Bartz knew it, all sight of Lenna was taken from him when the red fiend came crashing down, like a whale, back onto the ship, rupturing a greater hole in it. A huge torrent of water erupted from the impact and cut away sight from the other sight. Bartz was knocked from his feet as the mast splintered into two halves, and Krile tumbled down the stairs.

Bartz felt unconciousness enshroud him. Faris looked below at the wreckage of her ship in disbelief before being thrown from the wheel and was lauched into the fencing of the upper deck. "Dammit..." Bartz cried weakly as the water began to lap onto his face "...It can't end this way..."

He felt the world fade to black. He feared he would not wake up again.

Warm lights of blue, purple and pink began to bathe his eyes washing and melding before fading into a shining light amongst the black. Bartz felt as if he was floating, it reminded him of the time he was trapped in the void. As the light grew brighter, Bartz began to feel warmer, before hearing a familiar voice.

"Do not forget the affinity of the wind, ride the wisdom that resides in your heart,"

Bartz was, or used to, serve as one of the Four Warriors of Dawn, issued powers by the crystals. His chosen affinity was of the wind, which reflected his carefree nature. It was that in the end which was what was able to destroy the evil Lord Exdeath.

"The worlds will rely on it,"

But the next phrase the light spoke made no sense. Exdeath had been slain a year previously, and even so the worlds that were torn in two were eventually sown back together with the only difference that the espers were rebirthed to the world by the crystals.

"A great threat is drawn it's sword, pointed at the ruination of allies and worlds alike. A greater evil than you have ever faced,"

That wasn't possible. Bartz had lost so many during his fight against Exdeath, yet again the mention of multiple world talk was brought up. Was is really possible there was more than his own?

"Now go... ride the winds..."

The voice and light seemed to slowly fade away. Bartz felt himself fade from the dream as well.

(What could this all mean?)